Bruce Arena

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Arena's relationship with the USMNT began as a player, earning his only national team cap in 1973 as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 loss to Israel. National team coach Gordon Bradley had called him in for an earlier game against Haiti, but Arena could not get time off from his job teaching at a local junior high school. That single cap would be his only appearance for the national side, but it marked the start of a decades-long connection. As head coach, Arena was hired in October 1998 to replace Steve Sampson after the team's disastrous 1998 World Cup. His first game in charge was a friendly against Australia in San Jose, California, on November 6, 1998. He forged the team into a successful international side, becoming the most successful coach in United States history with the most international wins, the longest home shut-out, and the best World Cup showing since 1930. The 2002 World Cup was the high point: heavy underdogs, they stunned Portugal 3–2 in the opening game, tied host South Korea, and beat Mexico 2–0 in the Round of 16 before losing 1–0 to Germany in the quarterfinals on a Michael Ballack header. Arena also won two Gold Cup championships in 2002 and 2005, with a third-place finish in 2003. The 2006 World Cup fell short of expectations, with the U.S. finishing last in Group E after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana. The team scored only twice: a tie against eventual champion Italy on an own goal by Cristian Zaccardo and a goal from Clint Dempsey against Ghana. Some, including former team member Eric Wynalda, blamed questionable coaching decisions by Arena, including not playing Clint Dempsey and using a defensive 4–5–1 in the must-win match vs. Ghana.

In Their Own Story

The stadium in Suwon, South Korea, was electric with the noise of a nation that had never seen its team face Mexico in a World Cup knockout round. Arena stood on the touchline, having made a bold tactical switch from the usual 4–4–2 to a 3–5–2. It paid dividends almost immediately. Josh Wolff, who Arena had brought in to fill out the formation, set up Brian McBride for the winning goal early in the first half. The U.S. secured a 2–0 victory and a quarterfinal berth. For the quarterfinal against Germany, Arena switched back to a 4–4–2, and the team dominated stretches of the game. But they lost 1–0 on a Michael Ballack header, and controversy followed when a penalty was not awarded for a handball in the German penalty box. Arena was lauded for instilling in his players the confidence to play aggressively against international powerhouses, a quality that defined his tenure.

Reader's Guide

Arena's coaching career before the national team was built on extraordinary success at the college and professional levels. At the University of Virginia, he won five national championships (including four straight from 1991 to 1994) and amassed a 295–58–32 record. He coached and developed many players who would go on to play significant roles for the USMNT, including Claudio Reyna, Jeff Agoos, Ben Olsen, John Harkes, and Tony Meola. He also coached Richie Williams, who later became his assistant coach with the US national team. In 1996, Arena left UVA to become the coach of D.C. United in MLS's inaugural season. Despite also coaching the U.S. U-23 national team at the 1996 Summer Olympics (where it went 1–1–1), he led United to an improbable comeback victory in the first MLS Cup. He also won the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, the 1997 MLS Cup, the 1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and the Interamerican Cup. Arena was named 1997 MLS Coach of the Year. Arena's national team tenure began in October 1998. His first game was a friendly against Australia on November 6, 1998. He went on to achieve the most international wins in U.S. history, the longest home shut-out, and the all-time best international FIFA Ranking (4th place, April 2006). He won the 2002 and 2005 Gold Cups, with a third-place finish in 2003. The 2002 World Cup quarterfinal run was the best U.S. showing since 1930.

Did You Know?

• Arena earned his only national team cap as a second-half substitute for Bob Rigby in a 2–0 loss to Israel in 1973.
• He could not get time off from his job teaching at a local junior high school to play in an earlier game against Haiti.
• Arena also played for the national lacrosse team, which won the 1974 World Lacrosse Championship and finished runner-up in 1978.
• He is a member of both the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
• Arena backstopped Cornell to the 1972 NCAA Soccer Championship Final Four and earned Most Valuable Defensive Player honors for the tournament.